Rack system for holding sports equipment

ABSTRACT

A rack system for equipment includes a main support, a holder coupled to the main support, with the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support and a support extension, coupled to the holder, including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted to abut a support structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/762,538, filed on Jan. 27, 2006. The full disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rack system for holding and securing sports equipment. More specifically, the rack system is designed to be simple to assemble, to be fully adjustable, reconfigurable and expandable, and to be able to mount a variety of sporting or other equipment holders.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

One of the key problems involved with equipment storage, especially sporting equipment, is that gear needs to be quickly and securely stowed, and also quickly retrieved. Storage systems that have complicated mechanisms are often avoided by users because of the time that it takes to secure gear. Sporting equipment that is not properly and securely stored can be jostled and accidentally moved, lead to breakage. Furthermore, from an equipment owners standpoint, especially in the retail, rental or lodge settings, racks are more often than not fixed configurations and incapable of being changed out or reconfigured for better use. Thus, for example, a resort that provides skiing in the winter and other activities in the summer may have ski racks that are usable for only one portion of the year. In addition, the advances in ski technology have rendered certain systems useless due to limitations in size of skis that can be secured. Thus, for example, a retailer may have to purchase new display systems when the width of skis popular with consumers changes and the display system is designed to accommodate only one or a few sizes. In a home environment, it is also important for a storage system to be a presentation system that allows for equipment to be presented in a pleasing manner. Users that spend time and money on the appearance of their equipment often like to display their equipment in a manner that allows others to view the equipment and thus their storage needs go beyond mere utilitarian purposes. It is also important in the home or consumer environment to be able to expand the system as consumers' needs grow due to additional sports equipment that may be aquired.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,007 to Chiarot discloses a modular ski rack and mounting kit that includes a bracket member mounted to a wall and one or more ski hanger modules. Each hanger module is adjustable or slideable with respect to the bracket member and are fixed thereto by fasteners. Each hanger module also includes two wall members with a flap therebetween for receiving a pair of skis, thereby suspending the skis. The ski rack is applicable only to skis and there is no conception of a system that allows for multiple types of equipment to be stored. In addition, the system has a somewhat bulky appearance and does not allow for an organized presentation of the equipment being stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,177 to Oren discloses a device for holding skis including a rail with arms fixed to the rail by screws. At the opposite ends of arms, ears are formed that support first and second shafts which each carry two rollers formed of a yielding material, such as rubber or plastic. In the gap between the rollers, two skis may be forcibly inserted against the bias of arms, thereby suspending the skis. This system is also applicable only to storage of skis, and does not provide the desired ease of storage and retrieval because of the need for the forcible insertion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,797 to Egan discloses a ski rack including a frame and a plurality of retainer blocks mounted thereto. Each set of blocks is adapted to receive a single ski, where the retainer blocks are mounted to frame for slideable movement along a gap between top and bottom rails. In operation the user positions the set of opposed blocks along the gap so that appropriate space is provided therebetween to accommodate a ski or other elongated objects. The system is also applicable only to skis and objects of similar shape, relies on their change in width along their length to secure the skis, and does not provide ease of storage in that complicated motions must be made to retrieve the skis.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,725 to Glass discloses a ski bracket that includes a mounting board against which pairs of skis are removeably retained. The bracket is a generally triangular member with a flat base along one side for mounting purposes. The bracket is bent to define a ski hook end and a ski pole end. This system is for use in ski storage only and is not conceived of for use in storing other equipment. The system also lacks the ability to be horizontally adjustable and does not allow for presentation of the equipment being stored.

Thus, there is a need in the prior art to have storage systems and methods that have a sleek modular look and a robust feel. There is also a need for a rack system that is very simple to assemble, is fully adjustable and able to be slid traversely along the storage wall and angularly with respect to the wall. There is also a need for a system that also allows for presentation of the equipment, as opposed to mere storage, in that the equipment is held in place at only a few points and allows for the entire piece of equipment to be viewed. There is also a need for a system that allows for multiple configurations and can be altered as equipment changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a rack system that overcomes the limitations of the above-discussed prior art. The rack system of the present invention includes a support rail mounted to a wall and one or more holder members that may be mounted to the rail. Support hangers extend from the individual holder members for supporting the equipment. Preferably, the holder members are clamped to the rail allowing the position of the holder members to be adjusted to any angle and any distance between each other. Each holder may be clamped to the rail using, in one instance, for example, a plastic housing that fits to the rail, a U-shaped eye bolt that passes through the housing and corresponding nut for tightening the holder to the rail at the desired location.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention is directed to a rack system for equipment includes a main support, a holder coupled to the main support and a support extension, coupled to the holder, including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted to abut a support structure.

Preferably, the support extension rotates with respect to the main support, and the holder is slidable with respect to the main support. Additionally, the support extension may abut the support structure at only two points, one point where the support extension is coupled to the holder and another point on a mounting surface of the support structure, spaced away from the main support and the holder. The main support may be a rail offset from a mounting surface of the support structure, where the rail may be made of an aluminum or steel material.

Also, the holder may be coupled to the main support through a snap-on connection. An end of the support extension may wrap around and may be secured to a lower end of the holder member, where a nut may be used to secure the lower threaded end of the holder member, wherein the securing of the nut to the threaded end affixes the position of the holder on the main support.

Additionally, the rack system may be configured to support and/or manage a pair of skis, a skateboard, a surfboard, a wakeboard, a snowboard and a bicycle. It should be noted that some of the above items are supported, but are not necessarily suspended from the ground, depending on the equipment being supported. The rack system may secure multiple pairs of skis, with each pair of skis being supported by one each of multiple holders and support extensions. In the case of the skateboard, the support extension and the holder are largely obscured by the supported skateboard, to allow for display thereof. In the case of the bicycle, the support extension is configured to secure one wheel of the bicycle, such that both wheels of the bicycle are supported against the support structure.

Also, the rack system may be configured to support multiple holders and support extensions, where the multiple holders and support extensions secure multiple types of equipment, with each type of the multiple types of equipment being supported by one each or two each of the multiple holders and support extensions. The support extension may be largely covered with neoprene, nylon or other material to protect surfaces of the supported equipment. Additionally, the rack system may also be configured to hold the equipment in place at only a few points and allow for the equipment to be entirely viewed.

The present invention is also directed to a rack system having a main support rail and a holder coupled to the main support rail, the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support rail. The holder also includes a C-shaped housing, having a stepped bottom and a through-bore hole through the stepped bottom, and having an inner radius of a C-shape configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail, an eye bolt, having a C-shaped portion and a threaded end, the threaded end passing through the through-bore hole of the housing and an inner radius of the C-shaped portion configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail, and the C-shaped housing and the eye bolt forming a clamp on connection to the main support rail, a washer, configured to be received by the threaded end of the eye bolt and forming a receiving section between the washer and the stepped bottom of the housing and a nut, configured to threaded onto the threaded end of the eye bolt and maintain placement of the washer. The rack system also includes a support extension, coupled to the holder through an end wrapped around the stepped bottom of the housing in the receiving section and held in place by the nut, the support extension including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted wrap around another portion of the equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the rack system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the rack system illustrated in FIG. 1, being used to secure a pair of skis;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the rack system illustrated in FIG. 1, being used to secure multiple pieces and types of equipment;

FIG. 4 illustrates different perspectives of components of the rack system, with FIG. 4(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 4(b) providing a side view and FIG. 4(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 5 provides greater detail of components of the snap-on housing of the holder, with FIG. 5(a) providing greater detail of the housing portion, with FIG. 5(b) providing greater detail of the eye bolt portion and FIG. 5(c) providing greater detail of the washer portion;

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of a surf coupler attachment for the rack system, with FIG. 6(a) providing a view of the surf coupler attachment, with FIG. 6(b) providing a view of the surf coupler attached to the support rail, and FIG. 6(c) providing a view of the surface coupler and extension being secured to support rail with a nut;

FIG. 7 illustrates different perspectives of a surf board embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 7(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 7(b) providing a side view and FIG. 7(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 8 illustrates different perspectives of another surf board embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 8(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 8(b) providing a side view and FIG. 8(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 9 illustrates additional hardware that may be used with the rack system to allow for the hanging and securing of accessories;

FIG. 10 illustrates a rail portion of the rack system;

FIG. 11 illustrates different perspectives of coupling parts for adding on to the rack system, with FIG. 11(a) providing first portion, with FIG. 11(b) providing a second portion and FIG. 11(c) providing a view of the coupling parts being used to connect multiple rail sections;

FIG. 12 illustrates different perspectives of a bicycle embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 12(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 12(b) providing a side view and FIG. 12(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 13 illustrates different perspectives of an alternate embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 13(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 13(b) providing a side view and FIG. 13(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 14 illustrates different perspectives of an alternate embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 14(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 14(b) providing a side view and FIG. 14(c) providing a front view;

FIG. 15 illustrates different perspectives of a skateboard embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 15(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 15(b) providing a side view and FIG. 15(c) providing a front view; and

FIG. 16 illustrates different perspectives of a tool embodiment of the rack system, with FIG. 16(a) providing a top-down view, with FIG. 16(b) providing a side view and FIG. 16(c) providing a front view.

FIG. 17 illustrates different portions of a U-bolt attachment mechanism in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 17(a) providing views extension portions, with FIG. 17(b) providing views of a round pin and FIG. 17(c) providing views the U-bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be set forth in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or operational steps throughout.

A rack system for sporting equipment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, such as skis, includes a rail 10, that is preferably tubular, mounted to a wall, and that accepts one or more clamp-on holder members 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the holder members 20 may be blocks or housings which clamp onto the rail 10. However, the holder members 20 can mount to the rail 10 in any known manner.

Each holder member 20 includes a region near the bottom thereof for receiving a support extension 30 onto which the equipment is mounted. The overall structure of the holder member 20, and its coupling to the support extension, are discussed below. The support extension 30 is preferably a plastic, aluminum, or steel rod or tube that passes through the slot of the support member 30, as seen in FIG. 1. The support extension 30 is configured and arranged to prop itself against the wall at some distance below the rail 10, as seen in FIG. 1.

The support extension 30 also may have an upper end 33 to sit horizontally with respect to the wall, and therefore provide a resting place for the equipment, such as the tips of the skis. A portion of this upper end 33 wraps around the holder member 20 to position the support extension. The area of the support extension 30 propped against the wall, or spaced therefrom, 35, may have a return radius section 40 that is indented having a hook shaped end 37 to support other portions of the equipment, such as lanyards of ski poles.

In operation, the user simply mounts one or more holder members 20 on the rail 10, snaps in at least one extension member 30, and then rotates the extension 30 inwardly toward the wall until it stops against the wall (FIG. 2), at which point it is ready to accept the equipment, such as skis (as a pair), on the upper end 33 of the extension 30. Multiple pieces of equipment may be stored using the same rail 10 of the rack system, with multiple holder members 20 and extension members 30 used to accomplish the storage, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

By designing the rack system as described above, the rack system has a sleek modular look. It also has a robust feel with positive clamp action. The rack system is very simple to assemble, is fully adjustable and the holder members are able to be slid traversely along the rail 10 and angularly with respect to the wall. The system also allows for presentation of the equipment, as opposed to mere storage, in that the equipment is held in place at only a few points and allows for the entire piece of equipment to be viewed. In the areas of snowboarding and skateboarding, users often spend much time and money on the appearance of the equipment, in addition to how that equipment performs, so that presentation is often an advantage of a rack system. The system can support other mounting portions for mounting a variety of sporting or other equipment, as discussed below.

FIGS. 4(a)-4(c) and 5(a)-5(c) illustrate different perspectives of components of the rack system. FIG. 4(a) provides a top-down view, with the upper end 33 of the extension 30 that wraps around the support member 20 on the right and the lower portion 35 of the extension 30 on the left. FIG. 4(b) is a side view and shows sections of the support member 20. The extension 30 may have steel or aluminum arms that are at least partially covered with neoprene, nylon or other material to protect the equipment being stored.

The support member 20 has an eye bolt 22, housing section 24, washer 26 and a nut 28. The curved section of the eye bolt 22 connects to the rail 10, along with the housing section 24. The housing section 24 and the eye bolt 22 create an opening 23 between that is slightly smaller that the width of the support rail 10. Once on the rail, the region 25 between the housing section 24 and the eye bolt 22, allows the holder to be translated on the rail, while remaining firmly attached, before the nut is completely tightened to secure that section of the rack system.

The lower portion of the housing section 24, FIG. 5(a), along with the washer, FIG. 5(c), define a region in which the curved upper end 33 of the support extension 30 is received, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b). The upper end 33 of the extension 30 is held between the lower portion of the housing section 24 and the washer 26 and maintained by the nut 28 threaded onto the threaded end of the eye bolt 22. FIG. 4(c) provides a front view of the rack system portion that also shows the return radius section 40 of the extension 30.

For use with additional embodiments discussed below, the rack system can also be extended. One such extension is the surf coupler attachment, illustrated in FIG. 6(a). The surf coupler attachment has, in the left of FIG. 6(a), a portion that receives the extension. In the open state, the coupler attachment can be affixed to the extension. The other portion of the coupler has a through hole that goes through the top and bottom parts. The top part is formed so that is comports with the shape of the support rail. As illustrated in FIG. 6(b), an eye bolt, similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 5(b), passes through the through hole, where a top portion of the eye bolt holds the pieces to the support rail. Thereafter, FIG. 6(c), a nut is used to secure the coupler to the support rail by screwing the nut onto a lower, threaded portion of the eye bolt. This embodiment allows for greater flexibility in how the extension is connected to the holder, in that no portion of the extension need be wrapped around the holder. The use of the surf coupler attachment is preferred in the rack system embodiments directed to supporting surfboards and wakeboards.

Another embodiment of the rack system is shown in FIGS. 7(a)-7(c), with a top-view provided in FIG. 7(a). Viewed from the side, FIG. 7(b), a large section 336 of the extension 330 and end 334 extends down the wall away from the rail 10 and extends away from the wall. This is a part of the design to allow for a portion of the weight of the equipment, e.g. a surfboard, to be taken by the wall. This embodiment also includes a nesting feature 80 that can be used to provide further support of the board. As viewed from the front, FIG. 7(c), the embodiment also illustrates a more confined return radius section 340. Yet another surfboard embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8(a)-8(c), that is similar in configuration to embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7(a)-7(c). The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8(a)-8(c) is smaller than that illustrated in FIG. 7(a)-7(c), i.e. the region against the wall 436 of the extension 430 is shorter, and lacks the support block of that latter embodiment. The end portion 434 and the confined radius section 440 are approximately the same size as that found in the embodiment of FIG. 7(c). The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8(a)-8(c) may be more applicable to smaller surfboards and the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7(a)-7(c) may be more applicable to larger boards, such as wakeboards.

FIG. 9 illustrates an accessory hanger that can be used to hang equipment accessories, such as goggles, gloves, poles, etc. One view shows the side of the accessory hanger 110 and the other the front view of the accessory hanger 120, where the accessory hanger snaps onto the rail to provide additional storage. Each can be used with the rack system to extend the range of types of equipment that can be stored and to allow types of equipment to be stored together according to use. The rail 10 is also illustrated in FIG. 10 and indicates that the rail can have various lengths, depending on the particular setup. In a commercial setting, such as in sales or in a resort setting, it may be important to allow for the storage and presentation of many pieces of equipment. FIGS. 11(a)-11(c) illustrate portions of a coupling system that can be used to extend the rack system. Different sections of the support rail can be joined together with the use of the connector system. This allows the user to grow the system as their needs grow and allows any configuration to be offered using the same two packaged units. In other words, the system can be sold with 2 holders or 4 holders and the user can end up with a system in 2,4,6,8,10, etc. configuration. FIG. 11(a) illustrates the end of a rail, as detailed in FIG. 10. The rail end receives a coupling part, illustrated in FIG. 11(b) that acts to join together the ends of the rails. The coupling parts have movable prongs that can be inserted into the rail ends and keeps them together along a common axis, as illustrated in FIG. 11(c).

FIG. 12(a)-12(c) illustrates bicycle storage embodiment, with FIG. 12(a) providing a top-down view of that embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12(b), the front or back wheel 1400 of the bicycle is held in the extension 720 & 730. A portion of the wheel is fit into the end of the extension 720 and another portion of the wheel 1400 rests against the other end of the extension 730 resting against the mounting wall. As illustrated in FIG. 12(c), the rack system is small and unobtrusive when no bicycle is stored thereon.

Additional embodiments are also provided in FIGS. 13(a)-13(c), 14(a)-14(c), 15(a)-15(c) and 16(a)-16(c). The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13(a)-13(c) and 14(a)-14(c) have an expanded section, 830 & 930, that juts out from the rail to provide a support portion, with the expanded section being smaller in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14(a) than that illustrated in FIG. 13(a). The embodiment in FIGS. 13(a)-13(c) has a closed loop, while the embodiment in FIGS. 14(a)-14(c) has an open loop. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13(a)-13(c) and 14(a)-14(c) can be utilized in retail and industrial setting for presentation of equipment. They embodiments can be used in multiples, i.e. side-by-side, to allow for display of equipment and have the benefit that multiple sizes can easily be accommodated by varying the widths between the extensions. FIG. 15(a)-15(c) illustrates an embodiment of the rack system that is configured to support and store a skateboard, using the extension 1030 and extension section 1040. FIG. 16(a)-16(c) provides for tool storage with a crimpled section 1140, of extension 1130, that provides for easy tool storage, such as gardening tools and power tools. The crimpled section 1140 can be used to spool a power cord, while the extension can be used to support the power tool.

It should be noted that all of the embodiments discussed above use the same or similar rail 10 and the attachment of the holder members 20 to the rail is likewise similar. This has the benefit that the different embodiments can be used together with the same rail. Thus, a single mounted rail can be used to secure and display skis, skateboards and surfboards, for example.

As described above and illustrated in FIGS. 4(a)-4(c), the holder member is attached to the extension and the support rail through an eye bolt and housing, in the above described embodiments. The attachment can also be made through a U-bolt assembly, in alternate embodiments, as described below. A steel square bottom U-bolt, as illustrated in FIG. 17(c), that has been formed into an arc on either side along the long legs, is placed over the body of the holder member from below such as that it is nested into the upper most arc of the holder. The radius section of the holder that conforms to the rail is pushed tight to the rail so the U-bolt can be wrapped around the rail with the threaded ends of the U-bolt facing the installer and toward the underside of the rail. A steel round pin, illustrated in FIG. 17(b), (referred to as the pressure pin in that it provides clamping pressure against the holder) having two (2) thru holes to receive the threaded ends of the U-bolt, is pushed over the threaded U-bolt ends to expose the threads in order to receive two (2) threaded nuts. Once the holder is positioned to the desired location along the rail, the two (2) nuts are thightened thus providing clamping forces to the rail and fixing the holder in place very securely. Through this same mechanism, the extension, FIG. 17(a), is also affixed.

The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A rack system for equipment, comprising: a main support; a holder coupled to the main support, the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support; and a support extension, coupled to the holder, including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted to abut a support structure.
 2. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension rotates with respect to the main support, and is independent of the sliding of the holder with respect to the main support.
 3. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension abuts the holder at only two points, one point where the support extension is coupled to the holder and another point on a mounting surface of the support structure, spaced away from the main support and the holder.
 4. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the main support is a rail offset from a mounting surface of the support structure.
 5. A rack system according to claim 4, wherein the rail is made of an aluminum or a steel material.
 6. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the holder is coupled to the main support through a clamp-on connection.
 7. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein an end of the support extension wraps around and is secured to a lower stepped end of the holder.
 8. A rack system according to claim 7, further comprising a nut secured to the lower threaded end of the holder, wherein the securing of the nut to the threaded end affixes a position of the holder on the main support.
 9. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is configured to support a pair of skis.
 10. A rack system according to claim 9, wherein the rack system further comprises multiple support portions and holders and is configured to hold multiple pairs of skis, with each pair of the multiple pairs being supported by one each of the multiple holders and support extensions.
 11. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is configured to support a skateboard.
 12. A rack system according to claim 11, wherein the support extension and the holder are largely obscured by the supported skateboard.
 13. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is configured to support a surfboard.
 14. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is configured to support a snowboard.
 15. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is configured to support a bicycle.
 16. A rack system according to claim 15, wherein the support extension is configured to secure one wheel of the bicycle, such that both wheels of the bicycle are supported against the support structure.
 17. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the rack system is configured to support multiple holders and support extensions.
 18. A rack system according to claim 17, wherein the multiple holders and support extensions secure multiple types of equipment, with each type of the multiple types of equipment being supported by one each of the multiple holders and support extensions.
 19. A rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support extension is largely covered with neoprene, nylon or other protective material to protect surfaces of the supported equipment.
 20. A rack system for equipment, comprising: a main support rail; a holder coupled to the main support rail, the holder being slideably adjustable with respect to the main support rail and further comprising; a C-shaped housing, having a stepped bottom and a through-bore hole through the stepped bottom, and having an inner radius of a C-shape configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail; an eye bolt, having a C-shaped portion and a threaded end, the threaded end passing through the through-bore hole of the housing and an inner radius of the C-shaped portion configured to comport with an outer radius of the main support rail, and the C-shaped housing and the eye bolt forming a clamp-on connection to the main support rail; a washer, configured to be received by the threaded end of the eye bolt and forming a receiving section between the washer and the stepped bottom of the housing; and a nut, configured to threaded onto the threaded end of the eye bolt and maintain placement of the washer; and a support extension, coupled to the holder through an end wrapped around the receiving section and held in place by the nut, the support extension including first and second sections, the first section being adapted to support one portion of the equipment, and the second section being adapted wrap around another portion of the equipment. 